Walking in a Storm
There will be a booth for shade by day from the heat,
and for a refuge and a shelter from the storm and rain. - Isaiah 4:6
Have you ever been caught outside in a storm? Most of us make a mad dash inside to get out of the rain and wind. Sometimes, you can't and you have to find the nearest shelter - maybe under a tree or overhang - and then you wait for the storm to pass.
Sometimes the storm takes a while to pass.
Right now, it feels like we are walking through a storm that just continues to last. It's one thing and then another and it doesn't seem to let up...but it will.
In the meantime, we need to find a place of shelter in the storm and live everyday under that shelter: God is that shelter and refuge where we can find peace.
As the storm continues, day after day, we look for it to end.
In the meantime, there are things we can do while we wait.
In the meantime, there are actions we can take.
In the meantime, there are choices we can make.
Here are 10 things to do while waiting out the storm:
- Each and every day, find rest in Jesus throughout the day. He offers us rest in the storms of life. We don't have to be "on" all the time. It's okay to simply rest while you are waiting for the storm to pass. Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Matthew 11:28
- Each and every day, look to help someone else through their day. Getting our eyes off of our problems and helping someone else with theirs makes the storm less frightening. Bear one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ. Galatians 6:2
- Each and every day, entrust to God the events of the day. We don't have to make everything happen or rely on our own wisdom to get through the storm. Let me hear in the morning of your steadfast love, for in you I trust. Make me know the way I should go for to you I lift up my soul. Psalm 143:8
- Each and every day, take some time to thank God for something in that day. Look for the good things God is doing and in those moments take your eyes off the storm. Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. 1 Thessalonians 5:18
- Each and every day, pray for the burdens of that day. Prayer should be our first response in every storm. Talk to God first before hearing anyone else's thoughts or opinions and before forming your own. Pray without ceasing, ! Thessalonians 5:17
- Each and every day, find a reason for joy in that day. Joy is tucked away in every storm and while it may require some searching, it is there, like the sound of rain on the leaves or the clean air that remains after the storm. Rejoice always. 1 Thessalonians 5:16
- Each and every day, remind yourself that God's grace is sufficient for that day. We tend to try to look beyond the storm and say, "When this is over, it will be so much better because ...". Don't always try to look beyond the storm for grace but find it in little places in the storm. But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” 2 Corinthians 12:9
- Each and every day, experience God's mercies that are new in that day. Every day starts fresh with God when the sun comes up and every thing starts anew. The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. Lamentations 3:22-23
- Each and every day, God is sovereign over that day. Why be afraid when we know that God is still there and in charge? Everything, even the storm, is under His command. I form light and create darkness; I make well-being and create calamity; I am the LORD, who does all these things.“Shower, O heavens, from above, and let the clouds rain down righteousness; let the earth open, that salvation and righteousness may bear fruit; let the earth cause them both to sprout; I the LORD have created it. Isaiah 45:7-8
- Each and every day, know that the storm will end one day. No storm lasts forever. God is still in control and He has not left us and His power has not been depleted. And he (Jesus) awoke and rebuked the wind and said to the sea, “Peace! Be still!” And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm. Mark 4:39